Author Topic: student seeking advice on report around escorts and client violence (Read 1816 times)

ncm248 · « **on:** 05 February 2013, 10:02:09 pm »

I am currently a masters student studying social work and I am writing a report into violence from clients and how local authorities, charities, and the police could better deal with this. I was just wondering if anyone might know of some good resources or projects, such as the Ugly Mugs initiative, that can either help limit the potential dangers from clients, or provide help and support when violence has occurred?
I would greatly appreciate any tips you may have that would point me towards the right sources, and thank you all in advance.

amy · « **Reply #1 on:** 05 February 2013, 10:13:47 pm »

Well you're on one of them.

There are also sex work projects up and down the land, and there's a link to the UKNSWP site further down the page in the Sex Work Projects section. Read Nick Mai, Teela Sanders, Belinda Brooks Gordon and recently Jane Pitcher (although I'm not sure her study is finished/available yet).

What you will find is that violence against indoor-based prostitutes is comparatively very rare, particularly when compared with other occupations such as teaching and nursing. I doubt any of the countries Local Authorities have enough instances on record to give it a second thought.

SexworkerOpenUni · « **Reply #2 on:** 07 February 2013, 06:26:32 pm »

Last year in London, the Sapphire Unit (Met Police unit on sexual violence) organised a Conference around the issue of sexual violence and sex work. The panels included politicians, social workers, project managers, lawyers and (one) sex worker. All agreed that the most urgent legal change that we need is decriminalisation. It was quite ironic that the conference was organised by the Police, not responsible for the laws but for applying them...
I cant seem to find the link to the conference online but if you email me, i can put you in touch with the organisers.

Best,
Luca Stevenson for SWOU

ncm248 · « **Reply #3 on:** 07 February 2013, 07:24:07 pm »

Thank you very much for your help, there are some very useful links and information here. Thank you again for your help

amy · « **Reply #4 on:** 07 February 2013, 08:32:21 pm »

Quote from: ncm248 on 07 February 2013, 07:24:07 pm

Thank you very much for your help, there are some very useful links and information here. Thank you again for your help

No worries.

One thing I should have been clearer about in my post is that violence from clients (which is specifically what you asked about) is extremely rare. In the event that we are attacked, abused or robbed, the offenders are hardly ever punters, although they may often pose as them to gain access to our premises and so forth.

It's an important distinction to make, especially with the advent of blanket proposals to criminalise genuine clients, the vast majority of whom cause us no problems at all.

SexworkerOpenUni · « **Reply #5 on:** 08 February 2013, 08:54:20 am »

Also, self defence / feminist self defence is a pretty good tool to prevent violence against us. SWOU has organised classes by Black Rose Martial Arts collective and will be organising some more soon.
The Police can be of help but as you probably only 5 % of rapists are being convicted (and that's for the general population, no data on sex workers).
For LGBT escorts, we have the number of a "gay-friendly" police officer who can help us in case of troubles, but once again it would be better to prevent violence by addressing the root causes of this violence: our stigmatisation and criminalisation.

See also the main SAAFE.info site for more Support And Advice For Escorts

Author Topic: student seeking advice on report around escorts and client violence (Read 1816 times)

ncm248

student seeking advice on report around escorts and client violence

amy

Re: student seeking advice on report around escorts and client violence

SexworkerOpenUni

Re: student seeking advice on report around escorts and client violence

ncm248

Re: student seeking advice on report around escorts and client violence

amy

Re: student seeking advice on report around escorts and client violence

SexworkerOpenUni

Re: student seeking advice on report around escorts and client violence